An approach to rapid distributed manufacturing of broad spectrum anti-viral griffithsin using cell-free systems to mitigate pandemics
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Date
2022-12-20
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Citation of Original Publication
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This work was written as part of one of the author's official duties as an Employee of the United States Government and is therefore a work of the United States Government. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. 105, no copyright protection is available for such works under U.S. Law.
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Abstract
This study describes the cell-free biomanufacturing of a broad-spectrum antiviral protein,
griffithsin (GRFT) such that it can be produced with consistent purity and potency in less than 24
hours. We demonstrate GRFT production using two independent cell-free systems, one plant and
one microbial. Griffithsin purity and quality were verified using standard regulatory metrics.
Efficacy was demonstrated in vitro against SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1 and was nearly identical to
that of GRFT expressed in vivo. The proposed production process is efficient and can be readily
scaled up and deployed anywhere in the world where a viral pathogen might emerge. The current
emergence of viral variants has resulted in frequent updating of existing vaccines and loss of
efficacy for front-line monoclonal antibody therapies. Proteins such as GRFT with its efficacious
and broad virus neutralizing capability provide a compelling pandemic mitigation strategy to
promptly suppress viral emergence at the source of an outbreak.